Descriptions

Fern Leigh Albert is an artist and photographer living on Dartmoor since 2013. Her photographic practice concentrates on land use and low impact living. She was a member of Steward Community Woodland photographed by David Spero in his series displayed nearby. Her own project Wild Wood which documents living off-grid in this community was exhibited widely and enabled her to, as she says; ‘make significant connections to the local landscape.’ Albert’s photographs on display have been published in the national press, including the Financial Times and on the BBC and Sky News.

'When a landowner contested in court the right to wild camp on Dartmoor 'The Stars Are For Everyone' campaign was born. Documenting the actions of protesters, these photographs were used as a form of activism to spread awareness about the campaign. Dartmoor is currently the only place in England where you can legally wild camp, which makes it extremely special. People travel to the moor from all over the country to spend a night out under the stars. The campaign quickly gained national interest and since then has gathered huge momentum and reopened the debate on access to land across the UK.' Fern Leigh Albert, 2024

Fern Leigh Albert has been documenting the wild camping campaign on Dartmoor since it began in January 2023. She says, ‘The campaign has brought a new community of people together, reignited the land rights movement within the UK and helped to win a high court case. In particular, the use of arts, music, poetry, storytelling and theatre that has organically emerged has been extraordinary and a real accolade to the place we live and the creative culture we have in Devon’. In October 2024 the Dartmoor National Park Authority will be at the Supreme Court to again defend the right to wild camp on Dartmoor. 


This object is not on display.



Image © Fern Leigh Albert